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Conservative Council Deeper in Crisis

Author: Martin Johns - Lib Dem

Published: 25th July 2018 14:40

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Lofts commented: “I agree with calls by opposition councillors at NCC for Conservative Councillors, Michael Clarke and Ian Morris to consider their positions. Both these individuals have been in decision making positions over several years and must be held accountable for the serious financial mess the council is in.”

Conservative run Northamptonshire County Council has been hit by yet more of a financial disaster of its own making. Their chief finance officer has issued a second formal notice that shows a budget shortfall of £60m to £70m in this financial year. It follows a similar notice last year that stopped new expenditure except on services it has a legal duty to run, such as Children’s Services.

NCC’s chief finance officer has stated that over the past four years, financial decision making at NCC has been ‘factually wrong, ill-informed, out of step and inappropriate’. The council is due to meet in emergency session next Wednesday 1st August, to agree how it will balance the books. Residents can expect further deep cuts to vital services.

There are now calls for those councillors responsible for the mess to resign. Key councillors running NCC have been at the heart of decision making for years, yet they are still in charge. There are two councillors representing areas of South Northamptonshire in the Cabinet and they have been for several years during the council’s repeated failures.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Lofts commented: “I agree with calls by opposition councillors at NCC for Conservative Councillors, Michael Clarke and Ian Morris to consider their positions. Both these individuals have been in decision making positions over several years and must be held accountable for the serious financial mess the council is in.”

Lib Dem Councillor Martin Johns added: “What’s astonishing, is that the Tories leader at NCC, Councillor Matt Golby, is said to be considering standing for election to one of the new unitary councils being formed in 2020 to replace the failed county council. If he and other Conservatives involved in wrecking the county council do stand, it will be for local electors to make their judgement on their mismanagement.”

In my view , no one on the council that has been in place up until now, should be allowed to stand again for at least 5 years. They have not done their job competently thus far and should not have the opportunity to fail again.

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